19. Let's see how you perform.

As she left the room, Ruan Li turned back to look at him one last time.

"Those scars are beautiful."

The door closed slowly, and the figure in Bai He’s eyes disappeared, leaving behind a fleeting moment of confusion.

She seemed truly changed—not just acting, but reborn like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

What exactly happened that day?

When Ruan Li went downstairs to the living room, she found two resentful men sitting at the dining table.

Shi Jue’s back was turned toward her; if she hadn’t seen his ear twitch, she would have thought he hadn’t noticed her coming down.

Xu Mo sat opposite, lazily reclining in his chair, his voice drawn out with mock amusement.

“Well, look who finally came down.”

“Don’t know who kept me waiting until the flowers almost withered, and then the mistress comes down with a cold face, pretending not to care,” he sneered.

“Shut up, you sly fox!” Shi Jue snapped at Xu Mo, then turned his gaze toward Ruan Li. His eyes flickered briefly, but he said nothing.

When Ruan Li had just come down, she checked the smart screen—it was already nine in the evening.

The takeout on the table was untouched, clearly cold.

These two had waited for her without eating a single bite.

“I’ll heat the food, and then we can eat together,” Ruan Li said, carrying the dishes into the kitchen, with Shi Jue following behind, his face stern.

“I’ll do this... this is too heavy... and this one too,” Shi Jue said.

Ruan Li stood aside, watching as he reheated each dish in the pan.

It felt as if he was sulking with her—but at the same time, he wasn’t really sulking; he was quite earnest in his work.

They ate the whole evening without incident.

Since it was still early and they’d eaten late, Ruan Li suggested, “Shall we go out for a walk to help digestion?”

Xu Mo’s eyes curved into a smile. “Sure, Softy, I’ll go with you.”

“It’s my turn to accompany Softy today anyway.”

Xu Mo didn’t intend to argue; he waved and smiled deeply, “Be careful tonight, don’t wander too far.”

The evening breeze was gentle, and a crescent moon hung high.

The community’s greenery was decent, and Ruan Li took a moment to observe the neighbors nearby. Though most had suffered severe damage last night, repairs were already completed.

Shi Jue walked beside her, eyes straight ahead.

Yet Ruan Li felt a burning gaze upon her, though when she turned, she did not see Shi Jue looking at her.

How strange...

“Hey, Ruan Li! Over here!” Lan Ruo spotted Ruan Li and her beastmate from afar, happily waving and running toward them.

“Ruo Ruo, slow down,” the young man behind her followed, cautioning her to be careful.

“Lan Ruo, are you out for a walk too?” Ruan Li didn’t expect to see neighbors at this hour.

“Yes, I spent all day working on the smart system, and Ferry kept urging me to come out for a stroll,” Lan Ruo pouted, running up to Ruan Li and grabbing her hand to complain.

“I just looked a bit longer, but he keeps nagging me about my health and the baby,” Softy said in a nasal, sweet voice, cuddling Ruan Li’s arm.

With a Barbie-doll face and big blue eyes sparkling, she stared at her.

Ruan Li suppressed an urge to pinch her little face and expressed surprise at another word in her speech. “Baby? You have a child?”

Lan Ruo, as if offering a treasure, proudly puffed out her flat belly. “Yes, just over ten days pregnant; it’s my first little one.”

Ruan Li masked her shock and feigned calm. “Lan Ruo, how old are you?”

“I’m twenty. Ruan Li, do you want to feel my baby?”

Ruan Li found it hard to believe such innocence—looking no older than fifteen or sixteen—was already expecting.

“That’s... quite early,” she said.

Lan Ruo smiled sweetly. “A bit early, yes, but the doctor said females with better fertility conceive more easily. I’m just A-rated in fertility, and after less than a year of marriage, here I am.”

“Then take care of yourself. I wish you a safe delivery,” Ruan Li said, awkward with pleasantries.

Lan Ruo widened her eyes. “I’m hoping for a girl, but thanks for your wishes.”

After Lan Ruo pulled her beastmate away, Ruan Li murmured, “Having children so soon?”

Shi Jue watched silently. He sensed the little female seemed particularly resistant to pregnancy... Why?

The cool wind blew as Shi Jue and Ruan Li circled most of the neighborhood. Approaching home, he hesitated, then finally spoke.

“Ruan Li, why did you stay in Bai He’s room so long?”

And you still carry a strong scent.

He could still smell it now.

“Hmm? Bai He was injured earlier. I just happened to treat him,” Ruan Li explained, hearing the tall man beside her seemingly exhale in relief.

Even the sorrow in his eyes vanished.

His green eyes gleamed as he looked at her. “I knew Xu Mo was talking nonsense.”

“Softy, who will you choose to accompany you tomorrow?”

Ruan Li imagined a big dog sitting expectantly before her, eagerly awaiting her to say its name.

“Isn’t it based on the schedule?”

“If the female master designates someone to accompany her, the master’s wishes will take priority,” Shi Jue said, his green eyes glowing in the night, impossible to ignore.

His golden curls looked soft to the touch.

If she tousled them, she wondered if the excited person before her might look pitifully aggrieved but too reluctant to complain.

“Hmm... depends on how you behave.”

Shi Jue’s lips curled into a high smile. His deep voice responded, “Mm!”

Suddenly, the smart device on her wrist vibrated.

Ruan Li lightly touched the screen.

[Come to Nightfall Bar, or else...]

Below the message appeared a photo of a jade pendant, engraved with the character “Li.”

Ruan Li found the jade pendant oddly familiar but couldn’t recall where she had seen it.

Seeing her frown in puzzlement, Shi Jue asked, “What’s wrong? Who sent you a message?”

Ruan Li showed him the screen. “Do you know what these jade pendants are usually for?”

“Nightfall Bar?” Shi Jue frowned. “That place is chaotic, full of self-indulgent male beastmen. As long as you pay, they’ll...”

He stopped himself, realizing his words were crude.

“These jade pendants are quite common. They contain a special mineral that nurtures newborns. Many parents give one to their newborn child.

Softy, this one is engraved with ‘Li.’ Is it your pendant?”

Ruan Li shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

She had no deep impression of it... Perhaps “Ruan Li” didn’t either.

“Is this message from a stranger? Could it be spam?

Softy, do you really want to go?” Shi Jue’s face showed worry.